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Radio Ratings Roundup, March 2026, Part III
April 22, 2026
We’re back with another exciting episode of “Famous Marches in History.” There’s Frederick March, Little Peggy March and, who can forget, Paul March. We could include the March Hare or the march of the wooden soldiers but that might be stretching this bit a bridge too far.
The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC.—marching side by side with the number’s crunchers from XTRENDS—are here with more MARCH news. Specifically, the monthly survey under that name. It began on MARCH 5th and concluded on APRIL 1st. We experienced a needless time change and a much-needed seasonal change. The book also ended on the first day of PASSOVER. Here’s where we spill the tea…
MIAMI-FT. LAUDERDALE-HOLLYWOOD: Same As It Ever Was
I thought we’d start off with a little ear worm. The top four spots on the 6+ leaderboard were unchanged from the previous survey, and all four stations had down books. COX MEDIA Urban AC WHQT (HOT 105) was back at #1 (7.2-6.7), while COX MEDIA AC WFEZ (EASY 93.1) remained at #2 but with its smallest share since JUNE (7.0-6.3). AUDACY AC WLYF (101.5 LITE FM) repeated at #3 (6.3-6.0), while TELEVISAUNIVISION Spanish Hot AC WAMR (AMOR 107.5) held firm at #4 (6.2-5.7). The two stations previously spied at #5 had up books. SBS Spanish Contemporary WCMQ (Z92.3) stood alone at that spot (5.1-5.5), while AUDACY Classic Hits WMXJ (102.7 THE BEACH) dipped to #6 (5.1-5.4). WLYF rode a 2.6% increase to #1 in the cume wars (779,700-800,000). The market was up 1.2%.
There was quite a foundational change in the 25-54 space. For the first time in over a year WFEZ was not the #1 station. It dipped to #2 with its lowest score in over a year. Your new leader was WHQT, which had a slight increase. The gap between those two stations was very small. iHEARTMEDIA Spanish Adult Hits WMIA (MAGIC 93.9) vaulted from #8 to #3 as it recovered from a couple of down books. WLYF stepped down to #4 thus ending a four-book surge. COX MEDIA Rhythmic AC WFLC (HITS 97.3) was down to #5 but with a small share gain. WMXJ slipped into a tie at #6 with WCMQ.
For the fourth book in a row COX MEDIA Urban Contemporary WEDR (99 JAMZ) was the leading 18-34 station. WCMQ and SBS Spanish Tropical WXDJ (EL ZOL 106.7 FM) were previously sighted at #4. WCMQ rose to #2 with its highest score in over a year, while WXDJ made it to #3 with its best book since DECEMBER. WFLC rocketed from #9 up to #4. In the HOLIDAY book it was sitting at #18. iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WMIB (103.5 THE BEAT) slipped to #5 as it returned all of last month’s substantial share gain. WHQT fell from #2 to #6 as it, too, surrendered last month’s increase. It was paired with WMIA, which rose from #12 with its best outing in over a year. WAMR dropped from #4 to #9 as it gave back most of last month’s increase. It was tied with AUDACY Classic Hip Hop WPOW (POWER 96), which arrived from #14.
The top five 18-49 were separated by less than a share. WFLC jumped from #4 to #1 with its third up book in a row. WHQT repeated at #2 with a small share loss, while WCMQ advanced from #7 to #3 with its highest mark in over a year. WFEZ went from first to fourth as its six-book winning string came to an end. WMIA leapt from #10 to #5, also with its best performance in over a year. WPOW slipped to #6 with a slight decrease. WLYF dropped four places to #7 and was partnered with WEDR and WXDJ.
SEATTLE-TACOMA: Marching On
For the third book in a row, and 13th time in the last 14 surveys, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON N/T KUOW was #1 6+ (9.5-8.4). FRIENDS OF KEXP Alternative KEXP rose from #5 to #2 with its fourth up book in a row (4.7-6.3). iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KJEB (95.7 THE JET) descended to #3 (5.6-5.6), while CRISTA Contemporary Christian KCMS (SPIRIT 105.3) stepped down to #4 (5.4-5.0). HUBBARD AC KRWM (WARM 106.9) was up to #5 (4.6-4.9), while AUDACY Active Rock KISW (THE ROCK) slipped to #6 with its smallest share since JULY (5.1-4.7). It was tied with BONNEVILLE Sports KIRO-A (SEATTLE SPORTS 710AM), which arrived from #10 as it rebounded from a down book (3.8-4.7). Despite a 0.9% decrease KRWM remained in cume control (613,200-607,800). The market was off by 0.6%.
KEXP was #1 25-54 for the third straight survey and landed in double-digit territory. KISW was back at #2 but with its lowest score in over a year. The gap between the two stations grew to almost five full shares. KUOW repeated at #3 but with its lowest total since OCTOBER. It was joined there by KJEB, which flew in from #7 as it recovered from a down book. AUDACY Alternative KNDD (107.7 THE END) dipped to #5 despite a slight increase. HUBBARD Pop CHR KQMV (MOViN’ 92.5) and KCMS were formerly partners at #5. KQMV stepped down to #6, while KCMS dropped into a tie at #7 with KIRO-A, which was up from #12.
KQMV doubled its previous 18-34 share as it vaulted from #8 to #1. It held a half share advantage over KJEB, which ascended from #5 to #2 with its best outing in over a year. This ended the two-book winning streak for KISW, which drifted down to #3. KNDD bounced back from a down book but still slipped two slots to #4. Three stations were languishing at #5. AUDACY Hot AC KSWD (EMMA 94.1) remained in place as it returned a portion of last month’s solid share increase. AUDACY Country KKWF (100.7 THE WOLF) slid from #3, while AUDACY Rhythmic AC KHTP (HOT 103.7) rose from #10 with its highest score in over a year. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KBKS (HITS 106.1) dropped from #3 to #8 with its lowest total in over a year. It was tied with five other stations.
As recently as DECEMBER, KEXP was #12 18-49. The station has tripled its share since then and just landed its third straight #1 book. KQMV jumped from #4 to #2 but was still about three shares off the pace. It narrowly edged out KJEB, which climbed from #8 to #3 as it regained all of last month’s lost share. A flat KNDD repeated at #4. KUOW and KISW were last seen at #2 and #3, respectively. They fell together into a tie at #5.
PHOENIX: The Heat Is On
There was iHEARTMEDIA AC KESZ (99.9 KEZ) cruising to its sixth 6+ win in a row. However, the station landed its lowest share since SEPTEMBER (8.0-6.7) and suddenly the race tightened significantly. HUBBARD Classic Rock KSLX was now a very close #2 (6.8-6.6). AUDACY Classic Hits KOOL (BIG 94.5) moved up to #3 with its best outing in over a year (4.5-5.9). iHEARTMEDIA N/T KFYI-A dipped to #4 despite posting its largest share in over a year (4.6-5.0). Last month’s threesome at #4 was no more. iHEARTMEDIA Country KNIX dipped to #5 (4.5-4.6). iHEARTMEDIA Adult Hits KYOT (95.5 THE MOUNTAIN) drifted down to #6 (4.5-4.3), while MARICOPA COMMUNITY COLLEGE Classical KBAQ (KBACH CLASSICAL 89.5FM) fell to #9 (4.5-3.7). Despite a 4.1% decline KESZ still had the most cume (1,007,700-965,500). The market grew by 1.6%.
KESZ was down 25-54 for the third straight survey but still won its seventh book in a row. TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional KHOT (QUÉ BUENA 105.9) was back at #2 and a share off the pace. ENTRAVISION Mexican Regional KLNZ (LA TRICOLOR 103.5) stepped up to #3 with its best book in over a year. KYOT dipped to #4 with a slight increase, while KOOL inched up to #5 with a small share gain. KSLX dipped to #6 and was tied with iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KZZP (104.7 KISS FM), which had its best showing in over a year.
Speaking of which, AUDACY Pop CHR KALV (LIVE 101.5) accomplished the same feat as it rose from #6 to #1 18-34. KYOT stepped up to #2 with its third straight up book, while KHOT remained behind at #3. This ended the four-book run at #1 for KESZ, which dropped to #4. It was paired with KZZP, which advanced from #10. KOOL stepped down to #6 with its lowest score since DECEMBER. HUBBARD Alternative KDKB (ALT AZ 93.3) fell from #2 to #9 and was tied with iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KMXP (MIX 96.9).
In FEBRUARY KHOT and KESZ were tied at #1 18-49. Both stations had down books though KHOT remained in first place while KESZ dropped to #2. KLNZ was back at #3 with its third up book in a row. KOOL remained at #4 but was joined there by KALV, which turned it up from #11. KSLX dropped from #5 to #9 as it returned all of last month’s increase, plus a bit extra.
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DETROIT: The Song Remains The Same
There was very little change atop the 6+ leaderboard this survey. AUDACY Sports WXYT (97.1 THE TICKET) was #1 for the third book in a row (8.6-9.0). AUDACY Classic Hits WOMC was back at #2 (7.7-7.3), while iHEARTMEDIA AC WNIC remained at #3 but with its best Frosty-free share since OCTOBER (6.3-7.0). AUDACY Country WYCD landed its largest share in over a year as it stepped up to #4 (5.5-6.3). iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WMXD (MIX 92.3) dipped to #5 (6.1-5.9). WNIC was essentially flat as it kept the cume crown (983,600-983,400). The market was basically flat, as well.
WXYT was #1 and in double figures 25-54 for the third straight survey. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WKQI (CHANNEL 955) was up two places to #2 with its best outing in over a year. Still, it was more than four shares off the lead. iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WJLB moved up to #3, also with its highest share in over a year. WOMC slipped to #4 as it ended a robust five-book surge. BEASLEY Active Rock WRIF was down to #5 with its lowest score in over a year.
WKQI was #1 18-34 for the third book in a row and WJLB was back at #2. Both stations reached double figures this month. WXYT repeated at #3 with a slight increase but was well behind the top two stations. WOMC remained at #4, while AUDACY Alternative WDZH (ALT 98.7) held steady at #5. Both stations had slight decreases.
WXYT was a dominant #1 18-49 for the third book in a row. WKQI stepped up to #2 with its highest mark in exactly a year. WJLB inched up to #3 with its third straight up book. WOMC slipped to #4 as it surrendered last month’s increase. WNIC worked it from #9 to #5 as it ended a two-book slide. WRIF went from #5 into a tie at #7 with WMXD.
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL: Too Close To Call
We don’t need the ABS system to call this one. iHEARTMEDIA Sports KFXN (KFAN FM 100.3) moved back up to #1 6+ (7.3-7.3). This pushed MPR N/T KNOW down to #2 (7.7-7.2), though the station did add a 1.0 share from cyberspace. iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KQQL (KOOL 108) repeated at #3 (7.2-6.9), while HUBBARD Hot AC KSTP (KS95) was back at #4 (7.1-6.7). iHEARTMEDIA Country KEEY (K102) stepped up to #5 with its best book in over a year (5.8-6.3). UNIVERSITY OF NORTHWESTERN-ST. PAUL Contemporary Christian KTIS dipped to #6 (6.2-5.9). KQQL padded its cume lead by 6.6% (632,500-674,200). The market was up 2.2%.
KFXN was #1 25-54 for the third book in a row and in double figures for the 13th time in the last 14 surveys. MPR AAA KCMP (89.3 THE CURRENT) stepped up to #2 as it bounced back from a down book. It was two shares behind the leader. KQQL moved down to #3 with a small decrease. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KDWB and AUDACY Adult Hits KZJK (104.1 JACK FM) remained tied at #4 with noticeable share losses.
Last month KCMP and KQQL were tied atop the 18-34 leaderboard. KCMP experienced a small share loss but remained in first place, while KQQL drifted down to #2 with a much larger decrease. KFXN remained at #3 but with its sixth straight down book. iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KTCZ (CITIES 97.1) inched up to #4 with its highest score since NOVEMBER. KZJK dipped to #5 with its smallest share in over a year. It was paired with KTIS, which rose from #7 with a modest increase.
KFXN extended a couple of 18-49 streaks. The station was #1 for the third book in a row and hit double figures for the ninth straight survey. KCMP returned as the #2 station as it regained all of last month’s share loss. KQQL repeated at #3 with a modest share loss, while KDWB was back at #4 but a much larger share decrease. KZJK held on at #5 though with its lowest total since AUGUST. It was joined there by a flat KTCZ, which rose from #7.
In case you were wondering, Paul March was, apparently, a famous British rugby player. Who knew. We do know we have one more block of markets to dissect. Stay tuned for TAMPA, DENVER, SAN DIEGO, CHARLOTTE, and NASSAU-SUFFOLK.
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